Water traffic plan increases safety

Update:
October, 21/2015 - 09:05

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Waterway traffic on the Sai Gon River in HCM City. Waterway traffic accidents decreased by 52 per cent five years after a campaign for waterway traffic safety was implemented. — VNA/VNS Photo Manh Linh

CAN THO (VNS) — Waterway traffic accidents decreased by 52 per cent five years after a campaign for waterway traffic safety was implemented.

The information was shared on Monday during a conference on the campaign's results in the southern city of Can Tho. The event was organised by the National Committee of Traffic Safety.

During the past five years, the country saw 516 waterway accidents that killed 409 people and injured 65 others, a decrease that fluctuated between 50 and 55 per cent when compared to figures in the five years before the campaign was implemented.

The campaign covered 45 provinces and cities across the country. Under the campaign, provinces and cities organised meetings to disseminate knowledge and raise people's awareness of waterway traffic safety. More than 386,800 life jackets were distributed.

More than 927,000 people were fined for violating waterway traffic regulations. As many as 972 people had their waterway vehicle driving licences revoked.

Provinces and cities that had success in implementing the campaign were Bac Lieu, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Nam Dinh and Can Tho.

"The work should be considered an important and preferential duty," he said.

A representative of the National Committee of Traffic Safety said that next time, the committee would report the campaign's results to the Government, which could maintain the campaign and expand upon its results.

Meetings to review the campaign's implementation would be held regularly.

Khuat Viet Hung, deputy chairman of the committee, suggested that localities should incorporate the campaign into other movements in the localities, such as measures to modernise residential quarters, to prevent children from drowning and to protect the nation's security. — VNS